Dr. Aditya Vohra · Updated
Signs to look for
- Drinking more or longer than intended, most days
- Shaking, sweating or nausea in the morning until the first drink
- Failed attempts to cut down
- Drinking despite liver problems, family conflict or trouble at work
- Blackouts
At Dr Vohra's
Who to see first: a psychiatrist.
Clinicians: Dr. Aditya Vohra, Dr. Sandeep Vohra
Treatments: Addiction treatment and de-addiction, Psychiatric consultation, Medication management, Couples and family therapy
ICD-11: 6C40.2
Is it a problem? A quick check
Two or more of the following in the last year suggest dependence and are worth a consultation: needing more to get the same effect; shaking, sweating or nausea when you have not had a drink; drinking to stop those symptoms; drinking more or longer than planned; wanting to cut down and failing; giving up other activities; continuing despite harm. The AUDIT questionnaire, which the clinic uses, takes two minutes.
How is alcohol addiction treated at Dr Vohra's?
Assessment includes liver function and other blood tests, nutrition (thiamine deficiency is common and dangerous), and screening for depression and anxiety, which often drive drinking.
Detoxification: for daily heavy drinkers, a planned taper with a benzodiazepine over five to ten days under supervision, thiamine, and daily contact; where risk is high, admission is arranged. Anti-craving medication: naltrexone (reduces the reward from drinking) or acamprosate (reduces craving after stopping); disulfiram in selected, motivated patients with family supervision.
Therapy: weekly at first, CBT-based relapse prevention, trigger planning, and family sessions. Follow-ups continue for at least a year; most relapses happen in the first three months, and early contact after a lapse prevents a full relapse.
For family members
- Do not manage the drinking for them (hiding bottles, calling in sick for them); do support the treatment
- Learn the signs of severe withdrawal: confusion, hallucinations, seizures; these need an emergency department
- Attend the family sessions; relatives' wellbeing affects outcomes
- Expect setbacks; a lapse is a reason to call the clinic, not to give up
Frequently asked questions
- Can I stop drinking at home?
- Light drinkers can. Daily heavy drinkers should not stop abruptly without medical supervision because of the risk of seizures and delirium; the clinic plans a safe withdrawal.
- Is treatment confidential?
- Yes, as with any medical care at the clinic.
- How do I book an appointment at Dr Vohra's?
- Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. Appointments are in person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online by secure video or voice call across India, in English and Hindi.
- What if I am in crisis right now?
- Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019, both 24x7 and free anywhere in India, or 112 for emergency services. Dr Vohra's is an outpatient clinic, not an emergency service.